Tilleb



T. w. HICKS TILLER Aug. 28, 1928. A

Filed March 29, 1925 Patented Aug. 28, 1928.

PATENT OFFICE. g

THOMAS W. HICKS, OF`MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

' TILLEB..

Application filed `March 29, 192B. Serial No. 628,644.

This invention relates to improvements in tillers and more particularly to that general type illustrated and described in my prior Patent No. 1,320,469, dated November 4, 1919.

. One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved tiller of the above general character, having relatively few parts and which maybe inexpensively manufactured and assembled. A

A further object is to provide a device of the abovev general` characterwhicli will be strong and durable in construction, and reliable and eflicient in use and operation.

A further obj ect is to provide an improved tillerwhich will more efficiently break up the soil as it is turned over by the plow and distribute the same as may be desired.

` A further obj ectis to provide a tiller shaft of the above character in which some ofthe blades may be caused to rotate at a fasteror slower speed than the others and in the same direction or in -opposite directions as desired.

Other objects will be in part obvious from the annexed drawing and in part indicated in connection therewith in the following analysis of the invention.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, the combination of parts, and iii the unique relation of the various members and the relative proportioning vand dispositioiiing thereof, all as more clearly outlined herein.

To enable others skilled in the art to fully comprehend the underlying features thereof in order that they may embody the same, by numerous modifications in structure and relation contemplatedby this invention, drawings depicting the preferred forms of the invention have been annexed as part ofl this disclosure and in such drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout all the views, in wliicli`- Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of one form of tiller composed of two parts, adapted to rotate in opposite directions but atsub stantially the same speed;

Fig. 2 is a detailed view showing substitute gearing upon the driving` and driven shafts whereby the two parts of the tiller will rotatein the same direction.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and more particularly to Fig. 1, 10 denotes a housing of any desired type mounted on the plow frame andy provided with a plurality of housing arms,one of which, 11, supports bearings 12 for a main driving shaft 18. Another housiiig arm 14 supports roller bearings 15 for a sleeve 17 mounted on a tiller shaft 18. The upper end of the tiller shaft has keyed thereto a bevel gear .20 whereby they rotate together, the gear being supported by bea-rings 21 within the housing cap 22. Likewise the sleeve 17 is provided with a bevel gear 23, both gears 2O and 23 being engaged by agear 24 on the driving shaft 13. Thus. it will be seen that the sleeve and the shaft are rotated at substantially the saine speed 4certain combinations hereinafter set forth.

.In'Fig 2 the driving shaft 13 is provided with two bevel gears 27 adapted to engage bevel gea-rs 28 and 30 on the sleeve 17 and shaft 18, respectively. This substitution for the gearing shown in Fig. 1 will permit the shafts toberotated in the same direction and as desiredat different speeds by changing the gear ratios. l

It will thus be seen from the above that the present invention contemplates a simple and practical tiller formed from a plurality of individual parts whereby the disiiitegrator or tiller blades may bel caused to rotate iii the same or opposite directions and at the same or variable speeds as may be desiredby a simple change of the gear ratios betweenV driving and driven parts. l

The construction is simple and practical as Well as reliable, durable and eicient in use and operation and the invention is believed to accomplish among others, all of the objects and advantages herein set forth. I

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the `gist of this invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting certain features that,

ico

fromthe standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the iio Cfr

are intended to be coinprehended Within the meaning` and range of equivalencyof the following claims.

What I claini is y l. ln a tillage inipleinent, a substantially vertical tivo-part tiller shaft, disintegrator blades mounted on each part of said tiller shaft, a drivingl shaft coininon to the tivo parts of the tiller shaft, and gear ineans connectingthe driving shaft and the tivo parts of the tillei shaft. V

2. In an apparatns of the character described,`in combination', a single substantially horizontal driving sha 't, a tivo-part substantially vertical tiller shaft, blades 4associated ivitli each part,` an interchangeable power transmittinggearing betiveen said driving shaft and the tivo parts of the tiller shaft, whereby the parts of said tiller shaft inay be driven in the saine or opposite directions at the saine or variable speeds as desired.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a single substantially horizontal driving shaft, a. tivo-part tiller shaft, poiver transmitting ineans between the ldriving shaft and the tvvo parts of the tiller shaft, and a housing enclosing said power transmitting inea-ns.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, al single driving shaft, a tivo-part tiller shaft. power transmitting means between the driving shaft and the tivo substantially verticall parts `of the tiller shaft, said power transmitting nieans coniprising gearing associated respectively with the tivo parts of the tiller shaft, said gearing being interchangeable for driving the parts "ofmsaid tiller shaft in the saine or opposite directions as desired.

V5. ln an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a single driving prising a shaft on which the lower portion of the tiller is mounted torotate, a sleeve enclosnig the upper portion of the shaft and rotatable with relation to the shaft, bevel gears carried on the upper ends of said shaft and said sleeve with thegear faces confronting but spaced apart froin each other, a substantially horizontal driving shaft, and a bevel pinion carried by the driving shaft and ineshing with both of said bevel gears to thereby drive the shaft and the sleeve.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

THOMAS vv. Hrcirs. 

